Wow! This sunshine was worth waiting for!
Just in time to enjoy the last hint of spring and to welcome in summer, we have our must-sip list of wineries and tasting rooms in Sonoma and Napa counties. Since real estate agents are great resources from everything from leaky pipes to yes, you guessed it, wine tasting, we asked our Sonoma and Napa Associates… “What is your favorite tasting room and why?” Whether you are just visiting wine country or have lived here forever… check out our must-sip list, you might discover a new favorite! Cheers!
SONOMA
Laura A. Hall/Santa Rosa office: Lynmar is one of my favorite places to taste. Well known for its expansive “veggiscaped” gardens, the best time to visit is in the Summer and Fall when everything is in full bloom. The wines are very well layered pinots and hearty chardonnays. They offer small bar bites with tastings in their beautiful tasting room or outside on their patio, which overlooks the rolling vineyards and gardens. If you want to enhance your experience, call ahead to have them prepare a lunch from the garden and paired with their finest wines. It is a very memora
ble experience.
Summer Stubblefield/Petaluma office: We love Gundlach Bundschu (or as it’s lovingly called by locals, “Gun-Bun”). You can do a tasting, then buy a bottle and head down to the beautiful large grassy area overlooking the Vineyard…Super peaceful and totally a Sonoma County day. And kid friendly!
Sonya Kern/St. Helena office: Truett Hurst is one of my favorite because of their river seating and an exceptional group of people.
Tom Kern/St. Helena office: Twomey is a great tasting room with two locations. South of Calistoga and Dry Creek. Calistoga is a beautiful tasting room with a very nice outdoor area, they have Sav Blanc, Pinot’s, French Style Merlot and nice folks. The Dry Creek Location has a fantastic tasting room with high ceilings and floor to ceiling glass. Great sitting area shaded outdoors and a fun gift shop with Twomey and local goods.
Carolyn Fereday/Santa Rosa office: The views, lavender gardens and peaceful setting at Matanzas Creek make it one of our favorites. Sipping lovely wines on the patio in the shade of giant oak trees make this place hard to beat.
Lauren Thompson / Santa Rosa office: We are loving Medlock Ames in Alexander Valley, at the north end of Healdsburg. Vineyards are farmed organically and the winery is completely solar powered. And the wines are amazing… Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Bordeaux Blends.
Dave Fahrner/Santa Rosa office: Dutton Goldfield Winery on Hwy 116 in Graton. The tasting room staff is first rate run by David Hewitt and Nicole
Kosta. Plus the single vineyard Pinot Noirs are fantastic!!!!! Awesome California Pinot.
Lani Gullotta/Sonoma office: I do love Pangloss Cellars – it has a very warm and rustic lounge feel rather than the traditional bar feeling at most tasting rooms. Not to mention a beautiful olive tree growing right in the middle of the tasting room. It is not inexpensive but the experience is worth it and the wine is delicious!
NAPA
Jonna Beck Lewis/Napa office: Pure Cru in Downtown Napa is the perfect place to sip before dinner. Stay “Hi” to Steve, the super friendly and knowledgeable host.
Michele Ikemire/Napa office: Eleven Eleven Wines in Napa – lesser known, fantastic wines and a designers dream- super unique and inspiring winery. Great people too!
Jennifer Long/Napa office: Of course… David Arthur!! 🙂 [full disclosure: her husband is David Arthur] Boutique winery that is classy however super super fun!!!
Amber Payne/Napa office: St. Clair Brown Winery in Napa, it’s in an unexpected location …It’s a garden setting in a greenhouse. Great wine and food!
